American Exports: Spector signs with Birmingham City

AMSTERDAM — Birmingham City have finally completed the acquisition of free agent US international Jonathan Spector, inking the defensive handyman to a two-year deal on Tuesday.

The erstwhile West Ham United man had been chased since spring by the Brums, as previously reported by MLSsoccer.com. The relegated Europa League entrants had to fend off a challenge from Leeds United right up to the end in order to get their man.

"Jonathan is a player who has experience playing in the Premier League and as an international for America so he has good credentials," Birmingham manager Chris Hughton told the official club website. "He is versatile and can play in a few positions. I think he will be a big asset for this club."

Spector becomes the club's seventh signing of the summer, closely following the arrival of California-born and Wales goaltender Boaz Myhill to the grounds of St. Andrews.

Where on the pitch Hughton plans to station the 25-year-old is still up in the air. His squad is currently thin in central midfield, where Spector often shined for West Ham in the EPL last season, but key defenders Scott Dann and Liam Ridgewell remain hot transfer topics.

Spector's first shot at a Blues debut will come when they open the new Championship season with a trip to Derby County on Saturday.

Birmingham City will learn their Europa League playoff round opponent the day prior, and will begin that two-game set on August 18. For Spector, it will represent his first chance to appear in a UEFA tournament match since 2006.